Letters to the Editor

Editor:
The failed attempt to resolve the housing crisis with rent control points out how the only real answer is to build more housing and a lot of it. But mention high-density housing in Alameda and people flip out, crying about the problems with traffic, getting on and off the Island and they’re right about that. So we have two opposing problems and need to think outside the box on this. Are you ready?

Fill in the estuary and return Alameda to being a peninsula. I’d say fill in from about where Walnut Street is, east and south to East Creek Point. So far as I can tell, there is little of real commercial marine business in this area. Dig a deeper channel around the East End of the Island for those who just have to take a vessel to that area.

You could eventually take down all three bridges with this and have as many thoroughfares as needed to get to and from Oakland. You’d also end up with a bunch of reclaimed land on which to build mixed-income, high density housing. You’d end the traffic problem and add a substantial amount of housing.
There will be many who love the estuary but the housing problem is a regional issue that needs regional solutions.

Editor:
The failed attempt to resolve the housing crisis with rent control points out how the only real answer is to build more housing and a lot of it. But mention high-density housing in Alameda and people flip out, crying about the problems with traffic, getting on and off the Island and they’re right about that. So we have two opposing problems and need to think outside the box on this. Are you ready?

Fill in the estuary and return Alameda to being a peninsula. I’d say fill in from about where Walnut Street is, east and south to East Creek Point. So far as I can tell, there is little of real commercial marine business in this area. Dig a deeper channel around the East End of the Island for those who just have to take a vessel to that area.

You could eventually take down all three bridges with this and have as many thoroughfares as needed to get to and from Oakland. You’d also end up with a bunch of reclaimed land on which to build mixed-income, high density housing. You’d end the traffic problem and add a substantial amount of housing.
There will be many who love the estuary but the housing problem is a regional issue that needs regional solutions.

Editor:
I am deeply honored and humbled by Alameda voters’ decision to allow me to return to City Hall. I will be forever mindful of my duty to show residents that I am worthy of the trust voters have bestowed on me.

So I pledge to do my part in promoting a City Hall that is open, transparent, accountable to the People of Alameda, and, above all, fixated on solving our pressing problems of today and tomorrow.
Voters said “yes” to my positive campaign about our future. And, in returning me to City Hall, Alamedans also said a resounding “no” to the ugly, negative political mail we received recently. Thank you for allowing me to return to City Hall, now it’s time to roll-up my sleeves and get back to work.